Mary Habila was like daughter to me - Umahi

Works Minister David Umahi stated that Mary Habila, a staff member who died at his residence in Uburu, Ebonyi State, was "like a daughter" to him. Habila, a nurse at the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences, died on June 27, 2026, in a guest house within the minister's residence. Addressing journalists for the first time since the incident, Umahi urged an autopsy to determine the cause of death. He highlighted that Habila had worked with him for three years and had a history of medical issues for which he personally funded treatment. Umahi expressed frustration with what he called political exploitation of the incident, questioning why he should be held responsible because someone died in a guest house under the Ministry of Works. He announced his intention to pursue legal action against individuals spreading false information online, stating, "We are going to test the law on cyberbullying over this matter."

“

The lady in question was like a daughter to me. She had stayed with me for three years. She was a staff of the Federal Medical University. She was a nurse and not a physiotherapist.